your favor with my aunt."

"There is no occasion for it. He is a relative, and I am only in her
employ."

"She thinks a good deal of you, doesn't she?"

"She treats me very kindly."

"Harold suggested to me this evening at supper that I should take your
place. You needn't feel anxious. I have no idea of doing so, and she
wouldn't have me if I had."

"I think a man like you could do better."

"I am willing to. But here comes my friend, who is going to the
theater with me."

Looking up, Luke was surprised to see Stephen Webb.

CHAPTER XXVIII

HAROLD'S TEMPTATION

Mrs. Merton was rather astonished when her grand-nephew Harold walked
into her room one day and inquired for her health. (She had been
absent from the dinner table on account of a headache.)

"Thank you, Harold," she said. "I am feeling a little better."

"Have you any errand you would like to have me do for you?"

Mrs. Merton was still more surprised, for offers of services were rare
with Harold.

"Thank you, again," she said, "but Luke was here this morning, and I
gave him two or three commissions."

"Perhaps you would like me to read to you, Aunt Eliza."

"Thank you, but I am a little afraid it wouldn't be a good thing for
my head. How are you getting on at school, Harold?"

"Pretty well."

"You don't want to go to college?"

"No. I think I would rather be a business man."

"Well, you know your own tastes best."

"Aunt Eliza," said Harold, after a pause, "I want to ask a favor of
you."

"Speak out, Harold."

"Won't you be kind enough to give me ten dollars?"

"Ten dollars," repeated the old lady, eying Harold closely. "Why do
you want ten dollars?"

"You see, mother keeps me very close. All the fellows have more money
to spend than I."

"How much does your mother give you as an allowance?"

"Two dollars a week."

"It seems to me that is liberal, considering that you don't have to
pay for your board or clothes."

"A boy in my position is expected to spend money."

"Who expects it?"

"Why, everybody."

"By the way, what is your position?" asked the old lady, pointedly.

"Why," said Harold, uneasily, "I am supposed to be rich, as I live in
a nice neighborhood on a fashionable street."

"That doesn't make you rich, does it?"

"No," answered Harold, with hesitation.

"You don't feel absolutely obliged to spend more than your allowance,
do you?"

"Well, you see, the fellows think I am mean if I don't. There'